WOODBURY – The Vermont State Police (VSP) reported Monday that the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington found homicide due to assault by another to be the cause of death for the 38 year-old Hardwick woman whose body was found under suspicious circumstances on the side of Vermont Route 14 the afternoon of June 19.
Following an autopsy completed the next day, she was identified as Tina Daigle of Hardwick, but the VSP reported then that the cause and manner of her death remained unknown pending further investigation by the medical examiner.
Tina Lynn Daigle is the mother of five children and has three grandchildren. She was born in Morrisville, attended Hardwick Elementary School and graduated from Hazen Union High School. She worked as an LNA in Northeast Kingdom nursing homes, at the Morrisville Resources Thrift Store and operated an online shop, Tina’s Boutique. Her parents Marie Katon and Richard Daigle live in Hardwick, according to her obituary.
The latest findings reported to the VSP by the medical examiner’s office are that her death was caused by asphyxiation/compression of the neck.
Asphyxiation or death due to neck compression is often referred to as strangulation and occurs when the blood vessels and/or airways in the neck are compressed, restricting oxygen flow to the brain. This can lead to unconsciousness, and in severe cases, death. The compression can be caused with the hands, using an object like a rope or by hanging.
The VSP has not said whether they have any suspects for the killing, but says they will release additional details as the investigation progresses. They ask anyone with information that could assist with this case to call the Berlin Barracks at (802) 229-9191 or provide an anonymous tip online at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
